Deer Tags Still Available, Hunter Success Up from 5-Year Average

Most Magic Valley deer hunters have only until October 31 to put venison in the freezer for the winter. There are antlerless deer tags still available in some northern game management units of the region. Antlerless deer hunts number 1057 (unit 43) and number 1060 (unit 48) have controlled hunt tags left. There are 63 tags left in unit 43 and 29 left in unit 48. These hunts close the last day of October. Controlled youth hunt number 1087 still offers 151 tags for units 44, part of 45, and 52. This hunt opens October 25 and closes November 9. The overall deer hunter success rate for the Magic Valley Region on the opening weekend, October 6 and 7, was 26%, considering all hunts (controlled, general, antlered and antlerless). This information was collected at eight deer check stations run by regional personnel and reservists. Success rates ranged from a high of 32% at the Gooding check station to a low of 14% at Rock Creek. Although this year's opening weekend hunter success rate was lower than in 2000 (32%), it is still higher than the previous five-year average (21.5%). When considering the general antlered hunts, where most hunters participated, there was no change from last year's 23% success rate. A noteworthy item was the percent of yearlings in the harvest. In general antlered hunts that figure increased to 54% from 45 % in 2000--- a 20% increase in that age group of deer. This translates to an increasing population. Also, the percent of yearling bucks with greater than a 20-inch antler spread went from 15% last year to 23% this season. Two hundred and fifty-four youth hunters (ages 12 - 15) were checked with 87 deer, for a 34% success rate. Last year only 26 youth hunters with deer were checked through the same eight stations. In general, most hunters seemed happy and were seeing deer. Deer appeared to be in good condition with adequate amounts of body fat to get through the winter. A total of 2,680 hunters were checked with 701 deer at eight stations.